2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG cooling

191 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Deactivating
Press button T (
page 181).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
The residual heat is automatically turned
off:


when the ignition is switched on


after about 30 minutes


if the battery voltage drops


when the coolant temperature is too
low
Ventilated storage compartments
The glove box and the armrest storage
compartment have their own air vents that
allow for cooling ventilation when the auto-
matic climate control system is activated.Glove box1Thumbwheel
2Air ventOpening the air vent

Turn thumbwheel1 upwards.
Closing the air vent

Turn thumbwheel1 downwards.
Storage compartment under the armrest1Thumbwheel
2Air vent
Opening the air vent
Turn thumbwheel1 to the right.
Closing the air vent

Turn thumbwheel1 to the left.
iYou should keep these air vents closed
when outside temperatures are low.

278 OperationEngine compartmentCoolantThe engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.
1Coolant expansion tank

Using a rag, turn the cap slowly approx-
imately one half turn to the left to re-
lease any excess pressure.

Continue turning the cap to the left and
remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level


for cold coolant: is up to the upper
mark on the bracing rib of the coolant
expansion tank (translucent)


for warm coolant: is approx. 0.6 in
(1.5 cm) higher

Add coolant as required.

Replace and tighten cap.
For more information, see “Coolants”
(
page 450).
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.


Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.


Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately
1/2 turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.


Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.
!SL 600 and SL 65 AMG: Only open the
cap on coolant expansion tank1.
Never open the cap between the two
charge-air coolers. Otherwise, the en-
gine could be damaged.

336 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
ú
(USA only)
±
(Canada only)
The yellow engine malfunction
indicator lamp comes on while
driving.
Your fuel tank is empty.

After refuelling, start, turn off, and re-
start the engine three or four times in
succession.
The limp-home mode is canceled. You
do not need to have your vehicle
checked.
D
The red coolant warning lamp
comes on when the engine is
running.
There is insufficient coolant in the reservoir.
If this warning lamp comes on frequently,
there is a leak in the cooling system.
If the coolant level is correct, the electric ra-
diator fan may be broken.

Immediately add coolant to prevent
engine from overheating
(page 278).

Have the cooling system checked.

If the coolant temperature is below
248 °F (120 °C), you can continue
driving to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

Avoid high engine loads (e.g. driving
uphill) and stop-and-go driving.
D
The red coolant warning lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
The coolant temperature has exceeded
248 °F (120 °C).

Stop in a safe location as soon as pos-
sible and allow the engine and coolant
to cool down.

365 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
±
Engine
Service
There may be a malfunction in the

fuel injection system


ignition system


exhaust system


fuel system

Have the engine checked as soon as possible
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
(page 335).
B
Coolant
Check level
The coolant level is too low.

Add coolant (
page 278).

If you have to add coolant frequently, have the
cooling system checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You can be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant
level warning. Extended driving with
this message and symbol displayed
may cause serious engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty. Do not drive without suffi-
cient amount of coolant in the cooling
system. The engine will overheat, caus-
ing major engine damage.

368 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
•
Coolant
Visit
workshop
The cooling fan for the coolant is
malfunctioning.

Observe the coolant temperature gauge.

Have the fan replaced as soon as possible.
G
Display malfunction
Visit
workshop!
The displays for several systems
have malfunctioned. Some systems
themselves may also have malfunc-
tioned.

Continue driving with added caution.
When the display is malfunctioning, warnings
and malfunction messages might not be dis-
played.

Have the electronic systems checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
±
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
Certain electronic systems are un-
able to relay information to the con-
trol system. The following systems
may have failed:

Coolant temperature gauge


Tachometer


Cruise control display

Have the electronic systems checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
(page 335).

446 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Cooling system
SL 500
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG
approx. 12.3 US qt (11.6 l)
approx. 13.6 US qt (12.9 l)
approx. 14.5 US qt (13.7 l)
approx. 16.4 US qt (15.5 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion / Antifreeze
Low temperature cooling system
SL 600
SL 65 AMG
approx. 2.2 US qt (2.1 l)
approx. 3.1 US qt (2.9 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion / Antifreeze
Fuel tank
including a reserve of
All models
SL 500
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG
21.1 US gal (80.0 l)
2.6 US gal (10.0 l)
2.6 US gal (10.0 l)
3.7 US gal (14.0 l)
3.7 US gal (14.0 l)
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum Posted Octane 91
(Avg. of 96 RON /86 MON)
Air conditioning system
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lu-
bricant oil (never R-12)
Hydraulic system for retractable hardtop
0.42 US qt (0.4 l)
MB Hydraulic Fluid
Windshield washer and headlamp cleaning system
7.4 US qt (7 l)
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
1
1Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water for temperatures above freezing or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and commercially available pre-
mixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze for temperatures below freezing. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 452).

450 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion / antifreeze, which pro-
vides:

corrosion protection


freeze protection


boiling protection (by increasing the
boiling point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection
to approximately -22°F (-30°C) and corro-
sion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-22°F (-30°C), the boiling point of the cool-
ant in the pressurized cooling system is
reached at approximately 266°F (130°C).
The coolant solution must be used year
round to provide the necessary corrosion
protection and increase in the boil-over
protection. Refer to Maintenance Booklet
for replacement interval.Coolant system design and coolant used
stipulate the replacement interval. The re-
placement interval published in the
Maintenance Booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze solu-
tion or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification (see
Factory Approved Service Products pam-
phlet) are used to renew the coolant con-
centration or bring it back up to the proper
level.
To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 45% anticor-
rosion/antifreeze (equivalent to freeze
protection to approx. - 22°F [-30°C]). If
you use a solution that is more than 55%
anticorrosion/antifreeze (freeze protec-
tion to approx. - 49°F [-45°C]), the engine
temperature will increase due to the lower
heat transfer capability of the solution.
Therefore, do not use more than this
amount of anticorrosion/antifreeze.If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion /Antifreeze
should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for
signs of leakage). Please make sure the
mixture is in accordance with label instruc-
tions.
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality, con-
sult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

451 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of alumi-
num parts. The use of aluminum compo-
nents in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion/antifreeze
coolant used in such engines be specifical-
ly formulated to protect the aluminum parts. (Failure to use such anticorro-
sion/antifreeze coolant will result in a sig-
nificantly shortened service life.)
Therefore, the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
Mercedes-Benz 325.0 anticorrosion/anti-
freeze agent.Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in hot southern regions), you
should have the anticorrosion/antifreeze
concentration checked. The coolant is also
regularly checked each time you bring your
vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for service.
Anticorrosion / antifreeze quantityModel
Approx. freeze protection
– 35°F (– 37°C)
– 49°F (– 45°C)
SL 500
6.1 US qt (5.8 l)
6.8 US qt (6.4 l)
SL 600 (main cooling system)
6.9 US qt (6.5 l)
7.5 US qt (7.1 l)
SL 600 (low temperature cooling system)
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
1.3 US qt (1.2 l)
SL 55 AMG
7.3 US qt (6.9 l)
7.9 US qt (7.5 l)
SL 65 AMG (main cooling system)
8.2 US qt (7.75 l)
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
SL 65 AMG (low temperature cooling system)
1.5 US qt (1.45 l)
1.7 US qt (1.6 l)